Amahubo 55
1 Beka indlebe, Nkulunkulu, emkhulekweni wami, ungazifihli ekunxuseni kwami.
For the Chief Musician. On stringed instruments. A contemplation by David. Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication.
2 Lalela kimi, ungiphendule; ngiyazulazula ekukhalazeni kwami, ngenza umsindo,
Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan
3 ngenxa yelizwi lesitha, ngenxa yembandezelo yomubi; ngoba bangethwesa ububi, langentukuthelo bayangizonda.
because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they bring suffering on me. In anger they hold a grudge against me.
4 Inhliziyo yami iyafutha phakathi kwami, lezethuso zokufa ziwele phezu kwami.
My heart is severely pained within me. The terrors of death have fallen on me.
5 Uvalo lokuthuthumela kungifikele, lokwesaba okukhulu kungigubuzele.
Fearfulness and trembling have come on me. Horror has overwhelmed me.
6 Ngasengisithi: Kungathi ngabe ngilempiko njengejuba! Bengizaphaphela khatshana, ngiphumule.
I said, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! Then I would fly away, and be at rest.
7 Khangela, bengingabalekela khatshana ngihlale enkangala. (Sela)
Behold, then I would wander far off. I would lodge in the wilderness.” (Selah)
8 Bengizaphangisisa ukuphunyuka kwami, ngisuke emoyeni ovunguzayo, esiphephweni.
“I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and storm.”
9 Sanganisa, Nkosi, yehlukanisa ulimi lwabo. Ngoba ngibone udlakela lokuxabana emzini.
Confuse them, Lord, and confound their language, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Emini lebusuku bayawubhoda phezu kwemithangala yawo; njalo ububi lenkathazo kuphakathi kwawo.
Day and night they prowl around on its walls. Malice and abuse are also within her.
11 Inkohlakalo iphakathi kwawo; imbandezelo lenkohliso kakusuki emgwaqweni wawo.
Destructive forces are within her. Threats and lies don’t depart from her streets.
12 Ngoba kakusisitha esingiyangisayo, uba kunjalo bengizakuthwala; kakusuye ongizondayo oziphakamisa phezu kwami; uba kunjalo bengizamcatshela.
For it was not an enemy who insulted me, then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, then I would have hidden myself from him.
13 Kodwa nguwe, umuntu olingana lami, umngane wami lowejwayelene lami.
But it was you, a man like me, my companion, and my familiar friend.
14 Esasicebisana ngokumnandi sonke, saya endlini kaNkulunkulu silixuku.
We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God’s house with company.
15 Ukufa kakubazume, kabehlele esihogweni bephila, ngoba ububi busemizini yabo, phakathi kwabo. (Sheol h7585)
Let death come suddenly on them. Let them go down alive into Sheol. For wickedness is among them, in their dwelling. (Sheol h7585)
16 Mina ngizabiza uNkulunkulu, iNkosi ingisindise-ke.
As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me.
17 Kusihlwa lekuseni lemini ngizakhalaza ngikhale kakhulu, ibisilizwa ilizwi lami.
Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
18 Ikhululile umphefumulo wami ngokuthula empini emelene lami, ngoba babebanengi kimi.
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, although there are many who oppose me.
19 UNkulunkulu uzakuzwa, abahluphe, ngitsho yena obehlezi endulo. (Sela) Ngoba bengelazinguquko, ngakho kabamesabi uNkulunkulu.
God, who is enthroned forever, will hear and answer them. (Selah) They never change and don’t fear God.
20 Welule isandla sakhe kwabaxolelene laye, wasingcolisa isivumelwano sakhe.
He raises his hands against his friends. He has violated his covenant.
21 Umlomo wakhe wawubutshelezi kulolaza, kanti inhliziyo yakhe yimpi; amazwi akhe abuthakathaka kulamafutha, kanti azinkemba ezihwatshiweyo.
His mouth was smooth as butter, but his heart was war. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
22 Phosela umthwalo wakho phezu kweNkosi, yona izakusekela; kayiyikuvuma lanini ukuthi olungileyo anyikinywe.
Cast your burden on the LORD and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
23 Kodwa wena, Nkulunkulu, uzabehlisela emgodini wokubhujiswa; abantu begazi lenkohliso kabayikufinyelela lengxenyeni eyodwa kwezimbili yensuku zabo. Kodwa mina ngizathemba kuwe.
But you, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction. Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days, but I will trust in you.
